Portret van een man 1867 - 1875

Lege & Bergeron created this small portrait of a man, using photography. Though the exact date remains unknown, the sitter's attire and the photographic style hint at its creation during the late 19th century, a period marked by the rise of bourgeois culture. In this period photographic portraiture captured the aspirations and self-perception of the middle class. The man's respectable suit, carefully knotted bow tie and poised demeanor, with one hand casually tucked in his pocket, reflect the values of respectability and social standing valued at the time. His gaze, directed slightly off-center, exudes a sense of self-assurance that speaks volumes about the era's evolving notions of masculinity. Yet, this image also encapsulates the inherent limitations of early photography, where prolonged exposure times and posed studio settings often resulted in rigid, idealized representations. This portrait invites us to reflect on the relationship between identity, representation, and the subtle narratives embedded within visual culture. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images carry within them the complexities of social norms and individual expressions.